AUNTIE AGNI.

Dear Auntie

I am a 19-year-old boy from a remote village in Balochistan. I study in Islamabad and consider myself a liberal with a broad and inclusive worldview. I champion equal rights for everyone, especially women, and have been pretty vocal about this. I have attended Aurat Marches, chanted slogans for women's emancipation and equal rights, and wrote articles on why we need to support Baloch women in their struggle against patriarchy.

I have two sisters who live a pretty tough life as our family is conservative. Although I have tried my best to treat them as equals, support them and make them feel safe, I feel like I am not doing enough. I feel like a hypocrite now.

One of my sisters has now started a YouTube channel where she posts short videos and vlogs. But what breaks my heart is she hasn't told me about it. We are close and, despite knowing the kind of a person I am and what I believe in, she felt the need to hide her YouTube channel from me. I feel awful. What's the point of me being Mr Feminist out there when my sisters are scared of me?

I know my family will go ballistic if they learn that my sister is posting videos of herself on the internet. But when the day comes, I want to stand behind her and support her. I want her to know that I've got her back. At the same time, I also feel scared for her. I want to share her YouTube channel and support her in this adventure, but I'm terrified that the internet will make fun of her and treat her unkindly. My townsfolk are not the best people, and they will be brutal in the comments section of my sister's YouTube channel. I don't want her to go through all that.

'I want to support my sister's independence but also protect her'

On the one hand, I want to be a loving and understanding brother and support my sister in this journey. But on the other hand, I'm terrified of what she might have to go through. What should I do, auntie?

Regards,

Confused

Dear Confused,

It is so refreshing to hear from a supportive and loving brother. If she is uploading videos on YouTube, surely she is looking to be found! Isn't that the whole point of being a YouTuber?

You want to...